BACKGROUND: There are two concerns regarding rifabutin and INH pharmacokinetics in this population: 1) Malabsorption of anti-TB medications is frequent in this population and 2) Many antiretrovirals and other drugs frequently used in the management of HIV-infected individuals are inhibitors of the cytochrome p450 3A4 isoform and result in increased levels of rifabutin. Correlation of the pharmacokinetic and clinical outcomes in the setting of these interactions is essential.